School Safety

SPS Elementary Code of Conduct

Spanish: EP SPS Code of Conduct

At the Primary Centers, our Code of Conduct can best be summarized as follows: 

“I will be safe.”  “I will be respectful.” “I will be kind.” 

Here are some examples of what our Code of Conduct looks like and sounds like:

• Using kind words

• Keeping one’s hands and feet to themselves

• Saying “Please” and “Thank you” 

• Using walking feet in the hallways and classrooms

• Having “listening ears” when someone else is talking or has speaker power 

During the first weeks of school, time is dedicated to creating a classroom community. Students collaborate with his/her teacher(s) and peers to identify classroom rules. We also talk about how our words and actions carry consequences--we can make someone else feel happy (cheer them up, put a smile on their face)--or we can make them feel sad or upset. Our students learn that we are all responsible for the things we say and do. Everyone makes mistakes--and we learn from our mistakes. Even if our words or actions happen “by mistake,” we teach our children to take responsibility and reflect on what happened and what could have been done differently so as to resolve conflicts in an age-appropriate manner. Consequences vary depending on the severity of the actions. 

 In the Summit Public Schools, students are expected to respect their teachers and classmates. Disruptions are kept to a minimum and are dealt with firmly, fairly, and quickly creating a positive school culture where our children are safe and thrive. 

To support appropriate behavior and self-control we incorporate both direct and indirect instruction including identifying, understanding and managing emotions as well as how to interact, collaborate and work well with others. These opportunities support all students as they grow and develop a healthy sense of self and a deeper understanding of how they relate to both peers and adults. 

If your preschool or kindergarten child is ever involved in a behavior related incident in school, how we address the matter – providing intervention and/or assigning consequences – will be guided by strategies and practices appropriate to the early childhood learner. In addition, we will contact you to provide: 

• An overview of the incident 

• A description of what may have preceded the event 

• An explanation of how the school will intervene to support your child including use of our guidance staff if appropriate. 

For your information, the following is a general overview of Summit Public Schools policies on school violence in all district schools: 

• If any student should act in a violent manner, threaten violence, and that threat is verified, we will take appropriate action that can include counseling, required therapeutic interventions, and where appropriate, suspension or cooperation with outside authorities. 

  • Vandalism - the willful destruction of school property - is considered a flagrant disregard of the rights of others and may result in suspension or, in extreme cases, expulsion from school, and may also lead to cooperation with outside authorities. 

  • We also consider acts of sexual harassment, bullying and intimidation as serious offenses. We will intervene to address students who are identified as engaging in this type of behavior. 

Students must be made aware that when they are in school they may not do or say things that suggest intent of violence. They may not, even in jest, threaten to harm or “kill” anyone or themselves. Today's media exposes our children to a broad and often lenient range of behaviors. Our students must be made to realize that certain behaviors they see in the movies or on TV are not acceptable behaviors in schools. 

The Board of Education is committed to providing a safe school environment and has adopted zero tolerance policies and regulations regarding weapons. The consequences for violation of these policies and regulations are severe. Parents are asked to promote good discipline by helping their children develop a sense of responsibility, encouraging their respect for authority, helping them develop a sense of respect for and understanding of the importance of an education, and by examining their own attitudes toward discipline and learning to assure that they are serving as good role models for their children. 

Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB): 

HIB overview in English: https://youtu.be/lcXQVRITz_o

HIB overview in Spanish: https://youtu.be/pRuWN_MUCd8

HIB process in English: https://youtu.be/yCiloxoMR-E

HIB process in Spanish: https://youtu.be/-hlOkPvQE4I

 The Summit Board of Education annually arranges for accident insurance coverage for students to be made available at a cost to parents. In the event of an accident, parents will receive claim forms and handle details directly with the insurance company. 

 We make provisions for every kind of emergency including cases where our building is not safe for students. These include situations such as fire or threats to the building’s structural integrity. We prepare for these emergencies by conducting monthly emergency and fire drills. 

Summit Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX, the Code of Federal Regulations, and Board of Education Policy 5751 Details about the complaint/grievance process are in this policy.

District Title IX Coordinator:  Mr. Robert Gardella, Director of Human Resources

Address: 14 Beekman Terrace, Summit, NJ 07901

Contact Info: rgardella@summit.k12.nj.us or 908-918-2100 ext 3107